Connector

Abstract

A connector includes a contact including a contact point to be electrically connected to an external apparatus when a connecting terminal of the external apparatus is pressed against the contact point, a protection member for protecting the contact point, and a base body storing the contact and the protection member. The protection member includes an opening for projecting the contact point on the external apparatus side from a surface on which the external apparatus is pressed. The protection member is movable between a first position and a second position with movement of the external apparatus. At the first position, the contact point is arranged so as to project on the external apparatus side from the opening. At the second position, the contact point is arranged on the same plane as the surface of the protection member on which the external apparatus is pressed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector comprising:
 a contact including a contact point to be electrically connected to an external apparatus when a connecting terminal of the external apparatus is pressed against the contact point; 
 a protection member configured to protect the contact point by covering a periphery of the contact point of the contact; and 
 a base body made of an insulator and storing the contact and the protection member, wherein 
 the protection member includes an opening for projecting the contact point on the external apparatus side from a surface on which the external apparatus is pressed, and the protection member is movable between a first position and a second position with movement of the external apparatus; 
 before the external apparatus contacts with the contact point or the protection member, the contact point is arranged at a position so as to project on the external apparatus side from the opening and the protection member is positioned at the first position; and 
 in a final connection state to the external apparatus, the contact point is arranged on the same plane as a surface on which the external apparatus of the protection member is pressed and the protection member is positioned at the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. A connector comprising:
 a contact including a contact point to be electrically connected to an external apparatus when a connecting terminal formed on a pressing surface of the external apparatus is pressed against the contact point; 
 a protection member configured to protect the contact point by covering a periphery of the contact point of the contact; and 
 a base body storing the contact and the protection member, wherein 
 the protection member includes an opening for projecting the contact point on the external apparatus side from a surface of a pressed surface against which the pressing surface of the external apparatus is pressed, and the protection member is movable in a direction of pressing in which the pressing surface of the external apparatus is pressed and a direction opposite to the direction of pressing, 
 the contact includes at least one press portion for pressing the protection member in the direction opposite to the direction of pressing, 
 before the external apparatus contacts with the contact point or the protection member, the contact point is projected on the external apparatus side from the opening, and in a final connection state to the external apparatus, the press portion does not press the protection member in the direction opposite to the direction of pressing. 
 
     
     
       3. The connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the press portion is arranged on both sides of the contact point. 
     
     
       4. The connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the base body includes a locking portion for locking the protection member in the base body, and the protection member includes an engaging portion to be engaged with the locking portion when the protection member projects by a predetermined amount from the base body. 
     
     
       5. The connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the contact has an approximately S shape. 
     
     
       6. The connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the final connection state is maintained by any of a magnetic body, a locking structure, and a screwing structure, which is mounted to both of the external apparatus and the base body. 
     
     
       7. The connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector includes a shield member on a surface contacting with the external apparatus. 
     
     
       8. The connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the shield member included in the protection member covers a side wall surface extending in a longitudinal direction, a side wall surface extending in a lateral direction, and an opposing surface on the external apparatus side. 
     
     
       9. The connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the shield member attached to the protection member has an elastic body coming into contact with a metal portion of a substrate and bending. 
     
     
       10. The connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the shield member attached to the protection member has an elastic body coming into contact with a metal member included in the base body and bending. 
     
     
       11. The connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the shield member attached to the protection member has an elastic body coming into contact with a metal fitting contacting with a cable and bending. 
     
     
       12. The connector according to  claim 7 , wherein the shield member attached to the protection member is arranged between at least one differential pair and other signal lines. 
     
     
       13. The connector according to  claim 12 , wherein the differential pair is included in USB pin assignment. 
     
     
       14. The connector according to  claim 7 , wherein, when the multiple contacts are arranged, the shield member included in the protection member includes a metal plate interposed at least one place between the adjacent contacts. 
     
     
       15. The connector according to  claim 14 , wherein the metal plate interposed between the adjacent contacts is vertically bent from the opposing surface on the external apparatus side.